Agencies

BANGALORE,Oct 8: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said Tuesday he has received a kidnap threat against his daughter.

Ganguly disclosed the threat during a news conference announcing that he will retire from Test cricket after the four-match series against Australia, which begins Thursday.

"Yes it's true, but it would be better if we don't discuss it here," Ganguly said about the threat to his six-year-old daughter, Sana.

Ganguly didn't provide details about the threat, but Calcutta police officials said security around Ganguly's residence had been increased.

Bhupindar Singh, a top police officer in the criminal investigation department, said Ganguly's family had received two letters threatening to kidnap his daughter for a ransom of 20 million Indian rupees (C$281,000).

"Two letters addressed to Sourav Ganguly's wife, Dona, were sent by post to their residence. The first one came a month ago, and the second 10 days ago," Singh was quoted as saying to the Press Trust of India.

"The Ganguly family didn't give much of importance to the first letter, because at that time they were abroad. But they were worried after receiving the second letter and approached the police."